“Lent is supposed to be like a desert,” the priest said, at Ash Wednesday mass–where we’re stripped of comfort and utterly reliant on God.

I have traveled before. I know what it is to live from a suitcase, taking only enough shirts for (1) today, (2) tomorrow, and (3) an extra in case it unexpectedly rains at night, and the one I wash right before dinner doesn’t have time to dry.

Days on end, piled with unknowns. And yet, in the unknown, God can provide. And He always does.

And so, I’ve been thinking about all these things,
And the best way
To make Lent
A desert.

]]>https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/16-the-lenten-desert/feed/0IMG_0325nellskacIMG_032515. Anointing of the sickhttps://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/15-anointing-of-the-sick/
https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/15-anointing-of-the-sick/#respondFri, 16 Feb 2018 14:50:23 +0000http://seashellnell.wordpress.com/?p=14384Breaths less steady now
Travel with our blessings, friend
A new life will come

]]>https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/14-marriage/feed/0pexels-photo-508684nellskacpexels-photo-508684.jpeg13. Confirmationhttps://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/13-confirmation/
https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/13-confirmation/#respondFri, 16 Feb 2018 14:34:46 +0000http://seashellnell.wordpress.com/?p=14377The journey is long
For the way we are given
Oil, Spirit, press’d in.
]]>https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/13-confirmation/feed/0nellskac12. Communionhttps://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/12-communion/
https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/12-communion/#respondWed, 14 Feb 2018 20:50:06 +0000http://seashellnell.wordpress.com/?p=14374
A common substance
But uncommon sacrifice
Bread, wine…body, blood.
]]>https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/12-communion/feed/0Última_Cena_-_Juan_de_JuanesnellskacÚltima_Cena_-_Juan_de_Juanes.jpgList of lists for the single person to make this Valentine’s Day (and none of them are “what to look for in a spouse”)https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/list-of-lists-for-the-single-person-to-make-this-valentines-day-and-none-of-them-are-what-to-look-for-in-a-spouse/
https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/list-of-lists-for-the-single-person-to-make-this-valentines-day-and-none-of-them-are-what-to-look-for-in-a-spouse/#respondWed, 14 Feb 2018 20:46:06 +0000http://seashellnell.wordpress.com/?p=14368Continue Reading →]]>Valentine’s Day. I happen to love it. Love it, love it. I’m literally wearing a red sweater covered in obnoxious white hearts as I type this.

That being said, I know it’s hard, too. Because everyone is having these cutest little love posts about their lives and when you’re not there, it’s tempting to feel a little sad.

Tempting, but, let me tell you…

Feeling sorry for yourself will probably not do a whole lot of good.

There are plenty of things that will make you feel good, though, and you should do those things. For sure.

If you get to a point where you’re ready to do some introspection and some dreaming and some creativity, grab a pen and pencil and here’s a giant list o’ lists, ways for you to stretch and imagine and grow.

(I suppose you could also do this on a date, with someone, as I read these again. Well, do what you gotta do).

Things to list, you and your pencil this evening:

Places you want to travel. If you want to go all-out, you can cut the front offa a cereal box and get a glue stick and some print-offs and a make a collage out of those dreams. Then store it in the back of your closet and, when the time comes, cross out each one you visit with a Sharpie.

People you know who are alone. Bonus valentine points: send them valentines snail mail style. Go ahead, make someone’s day.

Priests who have prayed for you or helped you or given you sacraments. Pray for them.

Who you would like to invite to a 8 person dinner party. Yes, I gave you a parameter. 8 people means some other cool people need to be cut. Parameters fuel creativity. Bonus points: make a seating chart because knowing who to seat next to who else is an exercise, let me tell you.

Your top ten favorite dance hits.

Menu for a good dinner party. Pinterest that stuff for dayyyyys. (After eating your one full meal of the day).

Attainable goals you’d like to set. You might be able to do some of the ones you set for #4, now that you think about it.

Fitness milestones for the next year.

People with whom you’d like to share a cup of coffee.

Your top-ten favorite smells.

Your Lenten goals.

The top five most beautiful sights of last year.

Things you most love about yourself. (Give yourself grace!)

Things to do in your least favorite season (I have learned, this year, that linocutting is great in wintertime).

The top 5 people who positively influenced your life at important moments.

Things you’d like to know more about. The Underground Railroad. Why WWI started. How elevators work. The world is a curious place.

The top 5 times Jesus has come through for you.

The best names for each of these pets:

A cat, born on the night of a full moon

A stray white dog with a brown patch around his eyes

A prairie dog

An all-black horse

And there ya go.

I’d love to hear all of your answers, of course. But, obviously, the ones to #20 are super important in my life.

]]>https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/10-baptism/feed/1splashing-splash-aqua-water-67843nellskacsplashing-splash-aqua-water-67843.jpeg9. To fallen Edenhttps://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/10-to-fallen-eden/
https://seashellnell.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/10-to-fallen-eden/#respondSat, 10 Feb 2018 16:51:40 +0000http://seashellnell.wordpress.com/?p=14344Continue Reading →]]>
Who told you you were naked?
Who said you’re not enough?
Who whispered that your vulnerability
Would not be met with love?

Who said that you were all alone?
Who held you there in fear?
Who said that I would come in wrath
When I saw you trembling there?

Who told you you were naked,
Tried to trap you in your flaws,
Sewed darkened seeds of anxiety
That made you doubt your God?

Where are you, child, where are you?
Stop hiding form my gaze.
Tell me all that’s happened
And why you feel this way.

Where are you, child, stop hiding,
Come out and know my care.
With arms outspread, I’m waiting
To forgive, and forget…and repair.